- How CFP Certification Works
The title of certified financial planner® (CFP) carries a lot of weight. It indicates that the bearer has put the time and work into obtaining CFP certification. Anyone can say they can help you with your finances, but only a… read more…
- How Financial Counselors and Financial Planners Differ
If you’re in need of financial advice, there are many different routes you can go. There are not only different types of professionals you can pick from, but also firms and advisors that have very specific areas of expertise. Two… read more…
- What Is Private Wealth Management?
Private wealth management is an investment advisory practice focused on serving the unique needs of wealthy individuals. The practice incorporates a wide range of services, including financial planning and investment management, to manage significant amounts of wealth in a comprehensive… read more…
- What Is a Keogh Plan? Definition, Types and Benefits
Self-employment or working for a small business may sound like a dream. However, one downside is that you likely won’t have access to a workplace retirement plan like a 401(k). Sure, you could max out the $6,500 annual IRA contribution… read more…
- What Is Recharacterization?
Update: As of January 1, 2018, recharacterization of Roth IRAs is no longer possible due to the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Once you convert a traditional IRA to a Roth, you no longer have the option of changing back to a traditional. The below article describes how the process… read more…
- What Is the Medicare Eligibility Age?
For just about everyone, the Medicare eligibility age is 65. At that point, you’ll have access to Medicare Part A and are able to purchase Medicare Part B. For some with disabilities or End Stage renal disease, though, eligibility may come at a younger age. Most people are eligible to receive part A without having… read more…
- The Fastest-Growing Job in Each State
The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.5% as of March 2017, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But in many states the jobs that are currently available and growing are not necessarily the ones that have traditionally been available. With the economy doing relatively well, SmartAsset took a look at the fastest-growing jobs in different parts… read more…
- All About Qualified Charitable Distributions
Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) allow you to transfer money directly from your individual retirement account (IRA) to a qualified charity. In addition to supporting causes you care about, this approach can offer tax advantages by keeping the donated amount out of your taxable income. Because QCDs are subject to specific rules and eligibility requirements, it’s… read more…
- When Should You Apply for Long-Term Care Insurance?
At some point, older adults may need help completing basic activities like getting dressed and taking baths. Unfortunately, health insurance plans don’t exactly cover this kind of care. This is where long-term care insurance comes into play. If you’re not… read more…
- When Should You Apply for Medicare?
Many Americans are expected to sign up for health insurance during the open enrollment period that falls between the beginning of November and the end of January. But that’s not the case for everyone. If you’re applying for Medicaid or insurance through CHIP, for example, you can sign up for coverage anytime. And if you’re… read more…
- Understanding Indexed Annuities
There is a reason why annuities are appealing financial products. They remove the uncertainty from retirement income by guaranteeing an annual sum. However, do the costs outweigh the benefits? This is a closer look at indexed annuities and what experts say about them. A financial advisor can help you assess whether an indexed annuity’s features… read more…
- The Best Cities for an Active Retirement in 2017
Planning to spend your golden years catching up on sleep? That might not be a good idea. A recent study from the National Institutes of Health found that physical activity may increase one’s life expectancy by as many as four-and-a-half years. Of course, your ability to remain physically active in retirement may depend, in part,… read more…
- What Is an Immediate Annuity?
Planning for retirement can be challenging. Figuring out exactly how much you need to sock away can be tricky, even if you use a retirement calculator. And many retirees are concerned about running out of savings. If thinking about your financial… read more…
- Full Retirement Age Defined and Explained
Your full retirement age is the point at which you’re able to earn the full amount of benefits that you’ve earned throughout your career, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, that doesn’t mean it’s the age at which… read more…
- What Would Privatized Social Security Look Like?
The last Social Security privatization proposal with legs came in 2005. Former President George W. Bush proposed a system of voluntary investment accounts. These accounts would contain money from workers’ payroll taxes. Since that failed, no other privatization proposal has gotten as far. But could that change? Let’s talk about what privatized Social Security could look like. … read more…
- How Does Early Retirement Affect Social Security?
Many adults look forward to retirement and some wouldn’t mind leaving the workforce a little earlier than they are expected to. However, few people think about the drawbacks of retiring early, especially if they haven’t thought through and fully planned… read more…
- The Average Salary of a Millennial
Based on the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data, the average salary for a millennial is $71,566 a year, or $1,376 a week. If you fit into this generation, it probably won’t shock you to learn that the average salary… read more…
- What Are the IRA Contribution Limits for 2026?
For 2023, you can invest up to $6,500 in your IRA if you’re younger than 50, or $7,500 if you’re 50 or older. This is an increase from 2022, when the limits were $6,000 and $7,000, respectively. The IRS limits… read more…
- The Average Salary by Education Level
We all know that it’s hard to become a high-earner in this country without a college degree. This can make it hard to save for retirement or meet other financial goals. Access to the middle class is increasingly reserved for those with some higher education under their belts. Let’s take a closer look at the… read more…
- How Early Can You Retire in the 15 Largest Cities?
Does retirement sometimes seem like a pipe dream? It’s true that incomes and jobs aren’t what they once were. Plus, planning for something 20, 30 or 40 years in the future can be difficult. But with careful planning and financial management, it’s possible to save enough to enjoy retirement. Depending on where you hope to… read more…
- The Average Salary of a Flight Attendant
The median pay for a flight attendant was $56,000 in 2018, according to the latest data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That figure climbs above the national average. You’d likely need just a high school diploma to become… read more…
- How to Create a Plan for Withdrawing Your Retirement Assets
While preparing for retirement is a good idea, having a plan in place for how to withdraw your savings is equally important. Without considering how you’ll use the funds in your accounts, you could run out of money or lose… read more…
- How Many Americans Are Underemployed?
The official unemployment rate is considered to be a good indicator of where the economy stands, but there’s still a lot that it won’t tell you. Looking at the unemployment rate won’t tell you how long people without jobs haven’t been able to find work, for instance. And it doesn’t reveal anything about the number… read more…
- The Average Salary of a Police Officer
The average police officer salary is higher than you might expect. The median annual salary of a police officer is $65,400. Being a police officer comes with risks, but it can also be a financially rewarding career. Let’s take a… read more…
- The Best Cities for a Relaxing Retirement
You’ve worked hard for 40-odd years and now you are ready to ready to enjoy a long relaxing retirement. But where should you live? You probably want to be somewhere affordable to get the most out of your retirement savings, but you may also want to be somewhere with warm weather and relaxing activities. It… read more…